The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1930, Page 100

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

of government by which it controlled and led its
people. Sword, spear, bow, and arrow were practi-
cally the only interpreters of one’s necessity. This
situation created misunderstanding beween the tribes
and also between the foreigners and the natives.
Fortunately the missionaries and the new govern-
ments came and brought into our country the torch-
light of an inward vision of the soul. Gradually we
began to see the beauty of the world and its use-
fulness.

For nearly two thousand years this Christian
religion has been serving mankind as a lamp and
basis of civilization, guiding humanity to the death-
less ideal of great obedience to the teaching of
Christ and the hope of more abundant joy hereafter.
May I hereby testify to the fact that in the heart of
most clergymen there is nothing but burning zeal
for the salvation of souls and that the Kenya people
as well as those elsewhere in Africa where the mis-
sionaries have been laboring to help the natives
spiritually, physically, and mentally should give in
return uplifting and hearty thanks because our self-
realization has sprung from these forerunners of
Christ. Every one should seek this light as a torch
flaming in the darkness to show people the way to
the rock of peace and good will.

By work England established her mastership of
the world and her children are supported by the
_ same work. Being so wealthy and industrious, the
United States of America at the present time is
looked to by many nations for bread. Work will not
only make to-morrow’s burden easy for the next
generation and bring us to our right destination, but
it will also bring happiness to our present situation.

The destiny of Africa, in my estimation, depends
wholly upon the attitude of the inhabitants, their
desire to work, to cooperate, and to train young men
and women. The paramount duty of the leaders in
. Africa should be to see that their children are well

equipped with the weapons, not such as the swords,
spears, or guns which our ancestors inherited, but
with the trained heart, head, and hand which will
enable them to improve their country and find their
places in the world. Education alone is capable of
carrying us to our goal; because it is the key by
which we can gain admittance to happiness, true
loyalty, citizenship, liberty, and usefulness; in addi-
tion it is the base upon which rests the power and
light that illuminate the whole world. ‘Therefore
_ it is our duty to see that hatred and animosity are
_ eliminated from our midst. ‘To-day all the nations
_ in the world are striving to seek world peace and
_ harmony. We, the inhabitants of Africa, especially

those of Kenya, the youngest child of the British
Empire, should consult with ourselves whether we
are on this right track with the world or are over-
burdening to-morrow with questions which have
brought disagreement among many nations. The.
only way by which small and weak communities can
accomplish certain desirable ends is by cooperating
with the ruling powers and forces with the expec-
tation of thus getting a chance.

As the tree grows and spreads its roots through
the soil, so the human being grows in wisdom,
knowledge, and understanding. The future pros-
perity in Africa will rest on the possession and wise
use of land from which people procure the means of
livelihood. The ownership of land will widen the
career for poor boys and girls of Africa. We should
seek a common language, and through this, work for
more universal peace.

Some of our old traditions are coming to an end
and are no longer useful. Let us welcome modern
science, and those things from the more advanced
nations that will help our country..

The understanding of the responsibilities on us
is of far-reaching importance. This burden would
be easy if we would only unite our hearts together
and realize that we are not only working for our own
benefit, but also for the benefit of our children.

To our women all Africans are indebted, first
for the life itself and then for those things which
improve civilization, if we only enlighten them. Let
us therefore educate the mothers of our nation be-
cause it is through the women that nature writes on
the hearts of men whether they will attain the high
places of their desire.

In summarizing my thought let us educate our
children so that they will not only see the things
that lie before their feet, but also fore-see those in
the womb of the future.

Let us robe ourselves in the garments of peace
and seek to respond to the world in union of thought
and good will. Above all, let us invite Christianity
into our country, villages, homes, and hearts.

Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va.

PETER KOINANGE.

The Plea of a Deaf-Mute.

Thirty-two years ago a pastor appeared before the
student-body of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.
He had a message for the students. The name of the
pastor was Augustus Reinke, the father of our mis-
sions among the deaf. With true missionary zeal, in